November 5, 2024 (WELCOME, N.C.) – There’s nothing but Love for the newly appointed 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Jesse Love. Love pilots the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing and has made a name for himself already in his inaugural season at the Xfinity Series level. One win, seven top five finishes, 18 top-10 finishes, and five pole awards are just the beginning of this 19-year-old’s stat sheet.
Love’s average finish in his first year of Xfinity Series competition has been an impeccable 11.97, which was better than some of the Championship 4 contenders.
While Love fell short of a Championship 4 appearance at Phoenix Raceway, he can say he made it farther than many other seasoned veterans have in the Xfinity Series.
“To get this far into the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs in our first year together is an accomplishment,” said Love.
This is not the first time that Love has been named Rookie of the Year in a sanctioned Series. Before joining the RCR family, Love clinched 10 wins in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and went on to win the championship in his rookie year. Love was the ARCA West Series Rookie of the Year in 2020.
“Jesse is an exceptionally talented racecar driver, having achieved championships in every series he has raced. Hard to believe he has been racing for 14 years, started at 5. Jesse is cool under pressure. He knows what he wants and how the car needs to feel. He races way above his years. We are looking forward to his second year in the Whelen car. The year 2025 promises to be thrilling. Jesse has demonstrated remarkable driving skill. His car control and adaptability indicate that he will keep progressing,” said RCR Xfinity Series Competition Director Danny Lawrence.
In the Xfinity Series, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award is calculated using a driver’s best 16 finishes and a vote by a panel that considers a driver’s competitive abilities and interaction with other drivers and the media.
“Jesse has encountered numerous unfamiliar tracks and has adjusted effectively. Jesse has also become proficient in analyzing practice data, leading to consistent improvement. Given the limited practice time available, starting races as a rookie can be challenging. However, 2025 is set to be a remarkable year for both Jesse and the No. 2 team. Jesse has seamlessly integrated into the RCR family. We are grateful to have him on board, and we are committed to continuing our success on the racetrack,” said Lawrence.
RCR has a long, successful history across the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Many well-known drivers earned their Rookie of the Year title under the RCR banner such as Kevin Harvick in 2000. Championship 4 contender and teammate, Austin Hill, received the title in 2022 along with current driver in the NASCAR Cup Series for the No. 3 Chevrolet, Austin Dillon in 2012.
Teamwork truly does make the dream work and the talent between Love and Hill is a force to be reckoned with. While Love is a rookie, he has learned a lot in just one year from teammate Hill. With a rookie year comes rookie mistakes, but Love is a quick learner and is more determined than ever to take what he wants next season; A championship title.
“The one thing I’m confident in is that we will come out stronger next year,” said Love.
With the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season has come to an end, Love will be in attendance of the 2024 NASCAR Awards Banquet that is to be held in Charlotte on Friday, November 22, where Love will formally be awarded his trophy. The broadcast will air on Sunday, November 24, at 3 p.m. ET on The CW.
